What does having that “Made in America” stamp of approval mean to Rocky?
For us, being able to handcraft this collection entirely in the United States of America is about pride in our products and a tribute to our proud history. But there’s more to it than that for us, as these boots helped make the company what it is today.
The boots are handcrafted in Wynne, Arkansas using world-renowned Vibram® outsoles from Brookfield, Massachusetts, and the laces are from nearby Portsmouth, Ohio. Rocky actually used the original last that the boots were built on over 30 years ago, which was rediscovered by Jones & Vining™ exclusively for this collection. To add to the American-made components, the boots arrive in a custom-made ZACE USA x Rocky denim shoe bag, all of which were handsewn here in Ohio. ZACE USA proudly handcrafts USA-made denim products.
Why bring back Rocky’s Original Hiker and Red-Laced Hiker?
For us, this was an opportunity to return to our roots. These timeless, award-winning styles laid the foundation for where Rocky is today. In the 1970s, the Oblique Toe was groundbreaking in the footwear market, and to this day it has been copied by countless companies but never replicated. The timeless design of these styles echoes the proud tradition and heritage of Rocky.
What’s the story behind the oblique toe shape?
The story of the design, in my opinion, is a testament to its success. Former CEO Mike Brooks designed the oblique toe after an old shoemaker had told him that you should be able to move your toes inside a boot like you were playing a piano. Trying to develop something that was innovative for the market that was largely round toe, Mike began looking at the foot and saw an opportunity to create a toe shape that naturally worked with the foot — thus the oblique toe was developed. The revolutionary design was recognized with the American Designer’s Award and the rest is history.
